Notice: FAD has been notified that students are using CSM FAFSA codes other than 002064. Please be aware that by doing so, CSM will not receive your FAFSA for 2010-11. For CSM to receive a copy of the FAFSA for next year, you need to use 002064 as the federal code.
Students, do you know about the Hope Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit that may be a tax benefit for you. For details, go to the following site:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch02.html
You must complete the admission process. Students should submit the FAFSA between January 1 and March 1 to meet our priority deadline of March 1. This allows time for FAD to process the FAFSA and determine your eligibility for financial assistance.
Students submitting the FAFSA after March 1 are processed on a "first come, first serve" basis. "Estimated" processing time of the FAFSA varies depending on the form status:
| Status | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| FAFSA is complete | 2 weeks processing time |
| FAFSA rejected when processed | 2-3 weeks processing time |
| FAFSA data must being verified | 4-6 weeks processing time |
| Family not responding to FAD request | 6 or more weeks |
Please Note: Applying for a federal educational loan requires additional forms and will add 2-4 weeks to the processing time; your personal demographic data must be up to date at CSM (phone number, email address, mailing address).
Students receiving financial assistance for any semester and having credit on their student account, may use these funds to purchase books.
Changes in your credit hours after you receive a bookstore voucher could affect the amount of financial assistance you receive. For more information contact: FAD at the numbers below: La Plata 301-934-7531, Leonardtown 240-725-5300, Prince Frederick 443-550-6000
Your financial assistance awards are posted on myCSMD. If you do not have financial assistance by the date you must pay your "bill in-full", you may join the CSM Tuition payment plan, pay cash or your classes will be dropped.
Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program is available for students registering for 6 credits or more per semester. You must be in a degree program in a critical shortage area, such as nursing, physical therapy. For details on this program please go to: www.mhec.state.md.us
Students attending CSM and having questions concerning Veterans Administration Benefit information should contact the Registrar's Office at 301-934-7588 or 301-934-7656. Their fax number is: 301-934-7698.
FAD encourages students to seek out many avenues of financial assistance. View Additional Sources of Financial Assistance.
EXAMPLE: Datatel scholarship. Applications are available online, awards are $1,000-$2,500.
If CSM has received your FAFSA information for the current year you will be protected from making a 20% down payment when you register. To determine if the FAFSA information is on file:visit myCSMD and view your Financial Assistance Documents via Online Services. Then look in "financial assistance folder" under "my documents". Example: If you see '09-10 FAFSA Import to Coll' then you don't need to worry about the down payment for 2009-10. As always, should you have questions, please contact FAD at 301-934-7531.
HOWEVER, once bill payment date arrives, you are responsible for paying your account balance in full. Any charges not covered by financial assistance must be paid. To avoid confusion check your account often for the charges, what is paid by financial assistance and what is owed.
Please remember to update your demographic information (name, phone number, address) so important FAD information may be sent to you when necessary. To update your information in our system complete an Update Contact Information Form
Applying for financial assistance for the academic year can be accomplished by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may complete this on line at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov Or by submitting a hard copy which is available at the FAD office on any campus. Details on all programs offered by CSM may be reviewed by viewing the Types of Financial Assistance. Priority is given to those who apply by March 1st. Students filing after that date are awarded based on the availability of funds.
Maryland residents should also be aware that they may apply for state programs by using the FAFSA form. For details on those programs go to: http://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/index.asp
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